Orthotic walker

Abstract

An orthotic walker comprises an orthosis ( 60 ) mounted on a wheeled frame ( 10 ) which includes a first or rearward transverse frame member ( 11 ) having thereon an attachment device ( 17 ) for releasably mounting a support member ( 20 ) adapted to carry said orthosis ( 60 ) and a connection assembly ( 13, 33 ) for the releasable connection of forwardly extending lateral frame members ( 30 ) with an optional removable forward transverse frame member ( 50 ). The first frame member ( 11 ) carries a pair of laterally spaced wheels ( 16 ) and the lateral frame members ( 30 ) each carry a further wheel ( 41 ) at the forward end thereof. Several interchangeable lateral frame members ( 30, 30 A) are provided whereby the overall width of the frame ( 10 ) can be varied by selecting lateral frame members ( 32, 32 A) of differing size. The support member ( 20 ) which carries the orthosis ( 60 ) is one of a plurality of interchangeable support members ( 20, 20 A) provided in a range of sizes to suit patients of differing height and weight. The orthosis ( 60 ) comprises a back member ( 61 ) carrying a pair of lateral arms ( 64 ) mounted adjustably thereon, and each said arm ( 64 ) includes a pivotal mounting ( 65 ) by means of which a respective leg support ( 70 ) is suspended. Each leg support includes an upper element ( 74 ) having a pivotal mounting ( 71 ) at its upper end whereby it is connected to a back support, a lower element ( 75 ) having a foot support member ( 100 ) at its lower end, and an intermediate pivotal connection ( 72 ) whereby the upper and lower elements are connected to one another, wherein the upper and lower elements ( 74, 75 ) of the leg supports ( 70 ) are releasably and adjustably secured to the upper pivotal mounting ( 76 ), to the intermediate pivotal connection ( 72 ) and to the foot support member ( 100 ), so that the effective length of each of said elements can be adjusted independently.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An orthotic walker comprising an orthosis ( 60 ) mounted on a wheeled frame ( 10 ), wherein the wheeled frame ( 10 ) comprises a first frame member ( 11 ) which extends generally in a direction transverse to the normal walking direction when in use and having thereon attachment means ( 17 ) for releasably mounting a support member ( 20 ) adapted to carry said orthosis ( 60 ) and connection means ( 13 ,  33 ) for the detachable connection of lateral frame members ( 30 ) at opposite ends of the first frame member ( 11 ) to permit the walker to be adapted to the requirements of a patient, 
       wherein a plurality of interchangeable lateral frame members ( 30 ,  30 A) are provided and each of the lateral frame members ( 30 ,  30 A) includes a transverse part ( 31 ,  31   a ) whereby the lateral frame member is connected to the first frame member ( 11 ) and a forwardly extending part ( 32 ,  32   a ) whereby the overall width of the frame ( 10 ) can be varied by selecting lateral frame members ( 32 ,  32 A) having a transverse part of differing length.  
     
     
       2. An orthotic walker according to  claim 1 , 
       wherein the first frame member ( 11 ) carries a pair of laterally spaced wheels ( 16 ) and said connection means ( 13 , 33 ) are disposed outwardly thereof.  
     
     
       3. An orthotic walker according to  claim 2  wherein the lateral frame members ( 30 ) each carry a further wheel ( 41 ) at or adjacent to the end thereof remote from said connection means ( 13 , 33 ). 
     
     
       4. An orthotic walker according to  claim 3  wherein said further wheels ( 41 ) are castor wheels adapted to swivel about an upright axis. 
     
     
       5. An orthotic walker according to  claim 4  wherein the wheels ( 16 ) carried by the first frame member ( 11 ) are non-swivelling. 
     
     
       6. An orthotic walker according to  claim 3  wherein adjustable means ( 45 - 48 ) are provided for restricting the degree of swivelling allowed said castor wheels ( 41 ). 
     
     
       7. An orthotic walker according to  claim 2  wherein the connection means ( 13 , 33 ) for the lateral frame members ( 30 ) comprises two or more headed studs ( 19 ) which project in the transverse direction at each end of the first frame member ( 11 ) at equal angular spacings about a transversely extending axis of rotation, and each of said lateral frame members ( 30 ) includes a mounting plate ( 33 ) having a number of key-hole slots ( 34 ) corresponding to said studs ( 19 ), whereby wider end portions of said key-hole slots ( 34 ) can be passed over the respective studs ( 19 ) and the mounting plate ( 33 ) rotated to engage said studs in narrower end portions of said slots. 
     
     
       8. An orthotic walker according to  claim 7  wherein the wheels ( 16 ) carried by the first frame member ( 11 ) are carried at the outer ends of respective arms ( 14 ) at positions spaced from the first frame member ( 11 ) in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction so that when the wheels ( 16 ) are engaged with the floor to support the walker a turning moment is applied to the arms ( 14 ), and the arrangement is such that the turning moment acts to assist retention of the studs ( 19 ) in the narrower ends of the slots ( 34 ). 
     
     
       9. An orthotic walker according to  claim 8  wherein a locking fastener is additionally provided to hold the mounting plate ( 33 ) in assembled relation with the first frame member ( 11 ). 
     
     
       10. An orthotic walker according to  claim 1  wherein the lateral frame members ( 30 ) each carry a respective wheel at or adjacent to the end thereof at which it is connected to the first frame member ( 11 ), in addition to, or instead of, the laterally spaced wheels ( 16 ) carried by the first frame member ( 11 ). 
     
     
       11. An orthotic walker according to  claim 1  wherein the wheeled frame ( 10 ) additionally includes a further transversely extending frame member ( 50 ) which is releasably connectable to said lateral frame members ( 30 ) at or near the ends thereof remote from their connection with said first frame member ( 11 ). 
     
     
       12. An orthotic walker according to  claim 1  wherein said lateral frame members ( 30 ,  30 A) are integrally interconnected by a transverse frame member at the ends thereof remote from said first frame member ( 11 ). 
     
     
       13. An orthotic walker according to  claim 1  wherein the support member ( 20 ) which carries the orthosis ( 60 ) is one of a plurality of such support members ( 20 , 20 A) provided in a range of sizes to suit patients of differing height and weight. 
     
     
       14. An orthotic walker according to  claim 13  wherein the support member ( 20 , 20 A) includes a linear suspension unit ( 22 , 22   a ) carried at the upper end of a generally upright arm ( 21 , 21   a ). 
     
     
       15. An orthotic walker according to  claim 14  wherein the suspension unit ( 22 ) comprises a rod ( 23 ) guided for movement in a generally vertical direction under the control of a spring, and the orthosis ( 60 ) is releasably connectable to said rod ( 23 ). 
     
     
       16. An orthotic walker according to  claim 1  wherein the orthosis ( 60 ) comprises a back member ( 61 ) having a mounting means ( 62 , 63 ) thereon whereby it is releasably connectable to said rod ( 23 ) of the suspension unit ( 20 , 20 A). 
     
     
       17. An orthotic walker according to  claim 16  wherein the mounting means ( 62 , 63 ) includes a tubular fitting ( 63 ) adapted to be engaged slidably over an end portion of said rod ( 23 ). 
     
     
       18. An orthotic walker according to  claim 16  wherein the mounting means ( 62 , 63 ) is pivotally secured to said back member ( 61 ) so as to allow the latter to tilt about a generally horizontal axis. 
     
     
       19. An orthotic walker according to  claim 16  wherein the back member ( 61 ) carries a pair of lateral arms ( 64 ) mounted adjustably thereon, and each said arm ( 64 ) includes a transversely extending portion, a forwardly extending portion, and at the forward end thereof a pivotal mounting ( 65 ) by means of which a respective leg support ( 70 ) is suspended. 
     
     
       20. An orthotic walker according to  claim 19  wherein said leg supports ( 70 ) each comprise an upper element ( 74 ) having a pivotal mounting ( 71 ) at its upper end whereby it is connected to one of said lateral arms ( 64 ), a lower element ( 75 ) having a foot support member ( 100 ) at its lower end, and an intermediate pivotal connection ( 72 ) whereby the upper and lower elements are connected to one-another. 
     
     
       21. An orthotic walker according to  claim 20  wherein the upper and lower elements ( 74 , 75 ) of the leg supports ( 70 ) are releasably and adjustably secured to the upper pivotal mounting ( 71 ), to the intermediate pivotal connection ( 72 ) and to the foot support member ( 100 ), so that the effective length of each of said elements can be adjusted independently. 
     
     
       22. An orthotic walker according to  claim 21  wherein each of said upper and lower elements ( 74 , 75 ) comprises a bar and end portions thereof are connected in overlapping relationship with the upper pivotal mounting ( 71 ), the intermediate pivotal connection ( 72 ) and the foot support member ( 100 ) as appropriate. 
     
     
       23. An orthotic walker according to  claim 22  wherein said bars include a flat face ( 79 ) at opposed ends thereof arranged to co-operate with clamping means provided on each of the upper pivotal mounting ( 65 ), the intermediate pivotal connection ( 72 ) and the foot support member ( 100 ) as appropriate. 
     
     
       24. An orthotic walker according to  claim 19  wherein the upper pivotal mounting ( 65 ) which acts as a hip-joint incorporates means ( 66 - 71 ) for adjustment of the abduction/aduction angle at the joint. 
     
     
       25. An orthotic walker according to  claim 24  wherein said abduction/subduction angle adjustment means comprises a gimbals assembly including a block ( 66 ) mounted for pivotal movement about a first generally horizontal axis and defining a second generally horizontal axis orthogonal thereto, a pivot pin ( 76 ) centred on said second axis and carrying said upper pivotal mounting ( 71 ), and adjuster screws ( 68 ) carried by said block ( 66 ) and engaging with said upper pivotal mounting ( 71 ) so as to enable the latter to be set in any of a plurality of positions of angular adjustment relative to a line orthogonal to the first and second axes. 
     
     
       26. An orthotic walker according to  claim 19  wherein the foot support member ( 100 ) includes a shoe clamp ( 103 , 105 ; 103 , 107 ) carried by a pivotal ankle joint ( 73 ) with a restricted and adjustable range of pivotal movement to provide control over the degree of dorsiflexion and plantiflexion at the ankle of the user. 
     
     
       27. An orthotic walker according to  claim 26  wherein the ankle joint ( 73 ) comprises an upper arm ( 84 ) which is connected to the lower element ( 75 ) of the leg support ( 70 ), and a lower arm ( 89 ) which carries the foot support means ( 100 ), and a pivotal connection ( 73 ) between said upper and lower arms, wherein the range of pivotal movement is limited and adjustable. 
     
     
       28. An orthotic walker according to  claim 27  wherein said range of pivotal movement of the ankle joint ( 73 ) is limited by pins ( 94 ) which extend through overlapping arcuate slots ( 91 , 92 ) formed in said upper and lower arms ( 84 , 89 ) and the effective length of overlap of said slots ( 91 , 92 ) is adjustable. 
     
     
       29. An orthotic walker according to  claim 27  wherein said range of pivotal movement of the ankle joint ( 73 A) is limited by means of a stop block ( 91   a ) which is mounted on the upper arm ( 84 ) and engages in a recess ( 92   a ) formed at the upper end of the lower arm ( 89 ) to limit angular movement at the joint. 
     
     
       30. An orthotic walker according to  claim 29  wherein the stop block ( 91   a ) is reversible through 180° and has a wider end and a narrower end, either of which can be arranged to engage in the recess ( 92   a ) so as to provide for two different ranges of movement. 
     
     
       31. An orthotic walker according to  claim 30  wherein the stop block ( 91   a ) is one of a plurality of interchangeable stop blocks to afford different ranges of movement. 
     
     
       32. An orthotic walker according to  claim 26  wherein the shoe clamp comprises a mounting arm ( 101 ) which is releasably connectable to said lower arm ( 89 ) of said pivotal ankle joint ( 73 ), a support bar ( 102 ) which extends transversely from said mounting arm ( 101 ), a bracket ( 103 ) at a free end of said support bar ( 102 ) adapted to engage over the welt of a shoe worn by the user, and an adjustable clamp ( 105 ) carried by said mounting arm ( 101 ) to engage on the welt of the user's shoe at the side thereof opposite said bracket ( 103 ). 
     
     
       33. An orthotic walker according to  claim 26  wherein the shoe clamp comprises a mounting arm ( 101 ) which is releasably connectable to said lower arm ( 89 ) of said pivotal ankle joint ( 73 ), a support bar ( 102 ) which extends transversely from said mounting arm ( 101 ), brackets ( 103 , 106 ) at opposite ends of said support bar ( 102 ) having respective flanges ( 104 , 107 ) adapted to engage over the welt of a shoe worn by the user, and an adjustable member ( 108 ) carried by support bar ( 102 ) for movement in a direction towards and away from said flanges ( 103 , 107 ) to clamp against the underside of the user's shoe. 
     
     
       34. A wheeled frame ( 10 ) for carrying an orthosis ( 60 ) to provide a controlled walking facility when the orthosis is mounted on the frame, wherein the wheeled frame ( 10 ) comprises a first frame member ( 11 ) which extends generally in a direction transverse to the normal walking direction when in use and having thereon attachment means ( 17 ) for releasably mounting a support member ( 20 ) adapted to carry said orthosis ( 60 ) and connection means ( 13 ,  33 ) for the detachable connection of lateral frame members ( 30 ) at opposite ends of the first frame member ( 11 ) to permit the walker to be adapted to the requirements of a patient, 
       wherein a plurality of interchangeable lateral frame members ( 30 ,  30 A) are provided and each of the lateral frame members ( 30 ,  30 A) includes a transverse part ( 31 ,  31   a ) whereby the lateral frame member is connected to the first frame member ( 11 ) and a forwardly extending part ( 32 ,  32   a ) whereby the overall width of the frame ( 10 ) can be varied by selecting lateral frame members ( 32 ,  32 A) having a transverse part of differing length.  
     
     
       35. A wheeled frame according to  claim 34  which additionally includes a further transversely extending frame member ( 50 ) which is releasably connectable to said lateral frame members ( 30 ) at or near the ends thereof remote from their connection with said first frame member ( 11 ). 
     
     
       36. A wheeled frame according to  claim 34  wherein the support member ( 20 ) which carries the orthosis ( 60 ) is one of a plurality of such support members ( 20 , 20 A) provided in a range of sizes to suit patients of differing height and weight. 
     
     
       37. An orthosis for use with a wheeled frame according to  claim 34  and having a pair of leg supports ( 70 ) each of which includes an upper element ( 74 ) having a pivotal mounting ( 71 ) at its upper end whereby it is connected to a back support, a lower element ( 75 ) having a foot support member ( 100 ) at its lower end, and an intermediate pivotal connection ( 72 ) whereby the upper and lower elements are connected to one-another, wherein the upper and lower elements ( 74 , 75 ) of the leg supports ( 70 ) are releasably and adjustably secured to the upper pivotal mounting ( 76 ), to the intermediate pivotal connection ( 72 ) and to the foot support member ( 100 ), so that the effective length of each of said elements can be adjusted independently. 
     
     
       38. An orthosis according to  claim 37  wherein each of said upper and lower elements ( 74 , 75 ) comprises a bar and end portions thereof are connected in overlapping relationship with the upper pivotal mounting ( 71 ), the intermediate pivotal connection ( 72 ) and the foot support member ( 100 ) as appropriate. 
     
     
       39. An orthosis according to  claim 38  wherein the foot support member ( 100 ) includes a shoe clamp ( 103 , 105 ; 103 , 107 ) carried by a pivotal ankle joint ( 73 ) with a restricted and adjustable range of pivotal movement to provide control over the degree of dorsiflexion and plantiflexion at the ankle of the user.